By Brenna Angel
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-966263.mp3
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A busy weekend of work is ahead for the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees. The group is meeting at hotel in northern Kentucky early Saturday to start interviewing the final presidential candidates.
"Sunday we'll go into session again at 7 a.m., conclude the interviews, and then hopefully sometime around lunchtime we can begin the deliberation privately about who the next president - potential president - of the University of Kentucky will be," says Board Chair Britt Brockman.
The presidential search committee did not release how many finalists it recommended to the board, but Brockman says the candidates come from diverse backgrounds and experience. On Monday, the top pick will be presented to the campus community.
"They'll meet with President Todd. They'll also be vetted to the different constituency groups, be they faculty, staff, or students. And then we're currently putting together an electronic mechanism by which the vetting process can be aired and we can review the results that evening."
From the beginning, Brockman has called the presidential search timeline ambitious. President Lee Todd announced plans to retire in September. By late October, a search committee was formed.
Brockman says his ultimate goal is to find the right president for UK, not to stick to a schedule.
"If we had to extend the timeline another month, I'm okay with that. Or two months, whatever it takes. If something in the vetting process came up, then I have no problems slowing the process down."
Assuming nothing questionable comes up during the final vetting process; the candidate will receive the official offer of employment and be announced as the 12th President of UK on Tuesday.
Three one-hour forums have been planned Monday, May 2, so that the campus community can learn more about the chosen candidate. The candidate will briefly speak at each forum, but the bulk of the time will be spent answering questions from the audience. Although each forum will be led by elected officials from the three campus constituencies, individuals can attend the forum that best fits their schedules.
- 10 a.m. Faculty Forum, sponsored by the Senate Council, Worsham Theater, Student Center Annex
- 11:30 a.m. Staff Forum, sponsored by the Staff Senate, Worsham Theater, Student Center Annex
- 2 p.m. Student Forum, sponsored by Student Government, Worsham Theater, Student Center Annex